Saturn goes from blue to gold
POSTMEDIA NETWORK
First posted: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 01:27 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 01:47 PM EDT
A cloud pattern above a portion of Saturn appears to have changed colour and NASA scientists don't know why.
The hexagonal jetstream, which hovers over the ringed planet's north pole, appeared blue when the Cassini spacecraft captured an image of it back in 2012. But when it shot another picture in September of this year, the hexagon appeared to have turned gold.
Scientists theorize the colour change may be caused by Saturn's changing seasons, the hydrogen, helium and methane gasses swirling around in the atmosphere, and the length of its years - which are equal to 29 Earth years.
“In particular the change from a bluish colour to a more golden hue may be due to the increased production of photochemical hazes in the atmosphere as the north pole approaches summer solstice in May 2017,” NASA said on its website.
The space agency said the planet's atmosphere around the north pole may clear up during the long winters and then cloud over again in more summery weather.
“Since the planet experienced equinox in August 2009, the polar atmosphere has been basking in continuous sunshine and aerosols are being produced inside of the hexagon, around the north pole, making the polar atmosphere appear hazy today,” NASA says.
Two images taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft in 2012 and 2016 of Saturn's hexagon - a six-sided jetstream above the planet's north pole. (NASA/HO)
Saturn goes from blue to gold | Space | World | News | Toronto Sun
POSTMEDIA NETWORK
First posted: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 01:27 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 01:47 PM EDT
A cloud pattern above a portion of Saturn appears to have changed colour and NASA scientists don't know why.
The hexagonal jetstream, which hovers over the ringed planet's north pole, appeared blue when the Cassini spacecraft captured an image of it back in 2012. But when it shot another picture in September of this year, the hexagon appeared to have turned gold.
Scientists theorize the colour change may be caused by Saturn's changing seasons, the hydrogen, helium and methane gasses swirling around in the atmosphere, and the length of its years - which are equal to 29 Earth years.
“In particular the change from a bluish colour to a more golden hue may be due to the increased production of photochemical hazes in the atmosphere as the north pole approaches summer solstice in May 2017,” NASA said on its website.
The space agency said the planet's atmosphere around the north pole may clear up during the long winters and then cloud over again in more summery weather.
“Since the planet experienced equinox in August 2009, the polar atmosphere has been basking in continuous sunshine and aerosols are being produced inside of the hexagon, around the north pole, making the polar atmosphere appear hazy today,” NASA says.
Two images taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft in 2012 and 2016 of Saturn's hexagon - a six-sided jetstream above the planet's north pole. (NASA/HO)
Saturn goes from blue to gold | Space | World | News | Toronto Sun
